The Power of Productive Struggle

Students in The Hive are learning that math is not just about getting the right answers, it's about the process. 

As teachers, we know that not every math problem-solving method/strategy speaks to every learner. Introducing a variety of problem-solving strategies and tools, and allowing learners ample time to grapple with them is paramount to math success. It's this grappling or "productive struggle" that encourages learners to attack a problem in a way that makes sense to them; it allows them to build perseverance through trial and error and practice using a variety of strategies. As each learner attempts to solve a problem or learn a new strategy, they ask themselves questions like: What is the problem asking me to do? What information is provided? What part do I understand and what part is giving me trouble? It's these types of questions that engage learners and provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the structure of a problem because they're given the opportunity to attack it on their own. Productive struggle helps learners develop important learning habits, including but not limited to perseverance and flexible thinking. Teaching learners to embrace the process of working through a problem, thinking outside the box, and not getting discouraged when they initially fail is essential to their success as a math learner.

When learners understand the purpose behind the struggle and embrace the idea that their efforts must be focused and working toward achieving a goal, it can change feelings of hopelessness to empowerment. This week's guest bloggers reflect on the successes of their own productive struggles.

One of the math concepts I struggled with was long division. At first, I didn't get how to divide because it was a new concept and new concepts are really tricky for me. To overcome the struggle, I used tricks my teachers showed me and "the blur" of not understanding how to divide went away and now I know how to divide. Sometimes I make little mistakes but I find the mistakes and correct them. My advice to anyone who is struggling is to ask for help and ask for helpful tips from your peers and teachers.   - @Lonnie

One challenge I faced with math this year was double-digit multiplication. I was quarantined for a while when we were learning about this so I didn't really get to learn much about the concept in school. When I came back to school, I struggled with it and it took me a while for me to even slightly understand it. My dad tried to teach me easier methods, but I still couldn't understand it... YET. I wasn't ready to give up, and my struggles would come to an end shortly. When my dad taught me a method that I finally could understand, I was able to do it. If I had to give advice to someone struggling with the same concept, I would say to keep trying new strategies and never give up. It's worth it to lean into the struggle.   - @21Savage

Over the course of this year, I've struggled through some challenging math concepts. One of them was and still is knowing my multiplication facts. I have not overcome that challenge YET, but I'm determined to. I keep practicing my facts as much as I can and I know that I will get it soon. My advice to other people who are also struggling with this is to keep at it, practice, and don't give up. It will happen.   - @GoatLover

Something I struggled with in math is the process of long division. I overcame it by practicing my times tables more and it made it easier for me to work through the long division process. Some advice that I would give someone who is having the same struggle is to take the time to learn your times tables.   - @Lightning24

I have struggled with many things in math but one of them was two-by-two digit multiplication. I struggled with this until I kept practicing it in a small group during RTI with my teacher and some of my classmates. I got to hear how other classmates were thinking and I got some tips that really helped me. Now I can do two-by-two digit multiplication really well. If you are someone who is struggling with two-by-two digit multiplication, don't be afraid to ask for help and listen to other people's strategies. You will get through it.    - @G-Money